Wisconsin golf course offers, then retracts $9.11 special

Wisconsin golfers won't be able to get this deal today after all.

A Wisconsin golf course owner who advertised nine holes of golf for $9.11 to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks apologized Tuesday but said he would keep the club open despite a backlash that included death threats.

Tumbledown Trails Golf Course near Madison advertised the special in the Wisconsin State Journal on Monday, saying it was intended to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the attacks.

News of the offer spread on social media, and the golf course's Facebook page was overrun with negative comments. Owner and general manager Marc Watts said he received death threats and threats to burn down the family-operated public course.

"We're a little hurt by the fact that people are putting such a negative context on this," Watts said. "I thought people would appreciate it."

Watts, who was near tears during an interview, said he spent much of the night throwing up over the backlash. He said the promotion actually began in 2011 and until now was warmly received as a way to ensure people never forget the day.

Lee Ielpi, whose firefighter son died in the attacks, said he understands the backlash but added: "I think that any positive event is always beneficial to make sure we remember 9/11. I don't feel slighted by this golf outing."

- Associated Press

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Wisconsin golf course offers, then retracts $9.11 special

A Wisconsin golf course owner who advertised nine holes of golf for $9.11 to mark the anniversary of the Sept.11, 2001, terrorist attacks apologized Tuesday but said he would keep the club open